Over-Ear
Audio-Technica M20x
68Good
$37
Full review dataAudio-Technica M20x vs Soundcore Q30: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Soundcore Q30 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Soundcore Q30 - Great overall at around $50.
Over-Ear
Soundcore Q30
78Great
$50
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audio-Technica M20x
Sound6.5
Value7.5
Soundcore Q30
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.0
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica M20x | Soundcore Q30 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $37 | $50 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | - | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-20kHz | 16Hz-40kHz (AUX), 20Hz-20kHz (Bluetooth) |
| Impedance | 47 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | 95 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 0 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 60 h | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 60 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | none | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Detachable cable | No | Yes |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | dual noise-detecting microphones with hybrid ANC |
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica M20x
The Audio-Technica M20x is a budget-friendly wired over-ear headphone aimed at entry-level studio work, offering a neutral-leaning sound with a touch of warmth and bass presence. It's a practical choice for tracking and casual monitoring, though its fixed cable, limited detail retrieval, and lack of portability make it less suited for commuting or critical listening.
- Pro:Neutral, balanced sound with warm bass
- Pro:Affordable entry-level studio option
- Pro:Included 1/4-inch adapter for versatility
- Con:Fixed, non-detachable cable
- Con:Weaker treble accuracy and detail
- Con:Poor noise isolation and portability
Soundcore Q30
The Soundcore Life Q30 are a budget-friendly pair of over-ear wireless headphones that offer impressive value. They combine strong active noise cancellation with excellent battery life and a customizable sound via an app, making them a standout choice for cost-conscious buyers. While the build and controls are not premium, their performance for the price is hard to beat.
- Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
- Pro:Customizable EQ via companion app
- Con:Default sound is bass-heavy
- Con:Plastic build feels less durable
- Con:Controls are basic and not very refined
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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